Adaptable modular HVAC assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an adaptable modular assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of air from a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containing motors, wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated. These apertures are pre-cut in a modular frame member so as to establish the location of the intake and exhaust, and any apertures not to be used, are covered with detachable plate members, as required. Channel members can be used in an interior of the frame member, whereby, through manipulation of the placement of the channel members, in conjunction with manipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit, the modular HVAC assembly of the present invention can be adapted to facilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different types of buildings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of modular assemblies andmore specifically to modular assemblies for use with HVAC (heating,ventilation and air conditioning) units.

BACKGROUND

The use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units areincreasing as certain breakthroughs have enabled manufacturers to designand produce such units more efficiently, thereby potentially reducingthe cost to consumers, for example. A common drawback to the use of HVACunits is the noise and vibrations generated by the motors, which maysubsequently be transmitted throughout the unit. Such noise andvibrations are typically unappealing to consumers and attempts have beenmade to reduce such problems.

Furthermore, given the modular design of present HVAC units, certainapplications cannot properly utilize or install the modular unit giventhe location of the intake and/or exhaust. General, conventional modulardesigns in the HVAC industry have the intake and exhaust apertures forfresh air and stale air opposite to one another.

Therefore, there is a need for an adaptable modular HVAC assembly,wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can bemodified to facilitate the installation and proper operation thereof invarious buildings or dwellings. In other words, there is a need for anHVAC unit wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit canbe manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the installation of the HVACunit, and thus accommodate nuances and variations between variousbuildings.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making knowninformation believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to thepresent invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should beconstrued, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior artagainst the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an adaptable modularHVAC assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of air from aheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containing motors.

According to another object of the present invention, there is providedan improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the intake andexhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, tofacilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different typesof buildings. Of course, such manipulation of the intake and exhaustapertures increases the adaptability of the present modular assembly toaccommodate installation of the HVAC unit in buildings having varyingfloor plans and structures.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the interchangeabilityof the air flow through the adaptable modular HVAC assembly is achievedthrough modifications of the intake and exhaust apertures and air flowchannels, the apertures and channels being modified through the use ofchannel or plate members.

A still further object of the present invention provides for an improvedadaptable modular HVAC assembly which provides quick access andmaintenance of the motors or filtration assembly of the HVAC assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided anadaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) unit comprising a) a modular frame having at leastone or more apertures located on the outer surface of the modular frame;b) at least one or more plate members positioned on one or more of theapertures; c) at least one or more channel members positioned in themodular frame; d) at least one or more motors positioned within themodular frame wherein the motors enable air to enter and exit theapertures located on the outer surfaces of the modular frame; and e) arestrictor plate which isolates the motors within the modular frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) unit comprising (a) a modular frame; (b) at leastone fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperturelocated on an outer surface of the modular frame; (c) at least one staleair intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture locatedon the outer surface of the modular frame; (d) at least one or morechannel members positioned in the modular frame; (e) at least one ormore motors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motorsenable fresh air to enter at least one fresh air intake aperture andexit the at least one fresh air outlet aperture, and wherein the atleast one or more motors also enable stale air to enter the at least onestale air intake aperture and exit the at least one stale air outletaperture; and (f) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or moremotors within the modular frame.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for an adaptablemodular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) unit comprising (a) a modular frame; (b) at least one fresh airintake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on anouter surface of the modular frame; (c) at least one stale air intakeaperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outersurface of the modular frame; (d) at least one or more channel memberspositioned in the modular frame, the at least one or more channelmembers defining a fresh air transfer channel for transferring fresh airfrom an outside source to an interior building or dwelling and a staleair transfer channel for transferring stale air from the interiorbuilding or dwelling to the outside source, the fresh air channel andthe stale air channel being separate from one another; (e) at least oneor more motors positioned within the modular frame, the at least one ormore motors having at least one intake opening and at least one outletopening; (f) at least one heat recovery module, the at least one heatrecovery module having at least one intake opening and at least oneoutlet opening; and (g) a restrictor plate which isolates the one ormore motors within the modular frame, whereby the at least one intakeopening cooperatively transfers fresh air received from the at least onefresh air intake aperture on the modular frame through the at least oneintake opening of the at least one or more motors, and along and throughthe fresh air transfer channel, the fresh air then being transferredfrom the fresh air transfer channel through the at least one intakeopening in the at least one heat recovery module, and then through theat least one outlet opening in the at least one heat recovery module,where the fresh air is then directed through the at least one fresh airoutlet aperture on the modular frame to the interior building ordwelling, and whereby stale air from the interior building or dwellingis drawn through the at least one stale air intake aperture on themodular frame and into the intake opening of the at least one heatrecovery module, whereby the at least one intake opening of the at leastone heat recovery module cooperatively transfers stale air received fromthe at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame alongand through the stale air transfer channel, the stale air then beingtransferred from the stale air transfer channel through the at least oneoutlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through theat least one stale air outlet aperture on the modular frame to theoutside source.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an adaptablemodular HVAC assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of airfrom a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containingmotors.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides animproved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the intake and exhaustapertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, tofacilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different typesof buildings.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that it providesan improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly which provides quick accessand maintenance of the motors or filtration assembly of the HVACassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing the location of aperturesaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another side perspective view showing the location ofapertures on the modular frame member according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an HVAC unit showing the location of theimpellers of the motor and the air flow within the HVAC assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a back view of an HVAC unit showing the air flow within theair channels of the HVAC assembly according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 b is a side view of an HVAC unit showing the filtration locationand the air flow within the HVAC assembly according to one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 4 is another side view of an HVAC unit showing the location of theimpellers of the motor and the air flow within the HVAC assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the components of the HVAC unit, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a modular frame assembly for facilitatingthe installation and increasing applications which use HVAC units. Themodular frame of the present invention provides the ability to modifythe air channels commonly utilized in an HVAC unit, and, through themodification of these air channels which encompasses intake and exhaustapertures, HVAC units can be installed in cramped spaces. Unless definedotherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs.

In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIG. 1,the modular frame member 10 provides for intake apertures 20 and exhaustapertures 30 which are located on the vertical surface 40 of the modularframe member 10. Of course, it is to be understood that the term“Modular Frame Member” is used to define the physical shell whichencompasses the other elements of the present invention. In a preferredembodiment, the modular frame member 10 has numerous apertures locatedon the outer surface thereof. The number of apertures present on themodular frame member 10 increases the versatility of an HVAC, ashereinafter described. The modular frame member 10 is generally composedof steel or any other material as would be known by a worker skilled inthe relevant art, though it is conceivable that other types of materialcould be used, provided that the required material should have therequired tensile strength to support motors commonly used in the fieldof HVAC units. With further reference to FIG. 1, a worker skilled in therelevant art would be familiar with the use of two intake apertures suchthat there is a fresh air intake and a stale air intake. A workerskilled in the relevant art would also be familiar with the use of atleast two exhaust apertures within an HVAC unit such that there is afresh air exhaust and stale air exhaust.

As noted above, the modular frame member 10 has numerous apertures (foreither intake or exhaust) located on the outer surface thereof. Theseapertures, in a preferred embodiment, are pre-cut in the modular framemember so as to establish the location of the intake and exhaustapertures. Furthermore, the present invention provides that the intakeand exhaust apertures on the modular frame member 10 of the HVAC unitcan be manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the proper installationof the HVAC unit in different types of buildings. Of course, suchmanipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures increases theadaptability of the present modular assembly to accommodate installationof the HVAC unit in buildings having varying floor plans and structures.

To manipulate the layout of the intake and exhaust apertures, it shouldbe noted that any of the pre-cut intake or exhaust apertures that arenot to be used are to be covered with plate members 55, as can be seenwith reference to FIG. 5, it being understood that the term “platemember” is used to define a member positioned on the outer surface ofthe modular frame member 10 in order to modify the location of theapertures present on the modular frame member. Of course, the use ofsuch plate members allows concealment of the pre-cut apertures in themodular frame member and establishes the location of the intake andexhaust apertures which are to be used. In this manner, the use of suchplate members enables modification of the apertures located on themodular frame member wherein, for example, all apertures can be locatedon a specific surface or wherein, in another example, an identicalnumber of apertures can be positioned on opposite surfaces of themodular frame member 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIG. 5,the use of channel members 69 further enables the control of the airflow within an HVAC unit having the modular frame of the presentassembly, it being understood that the term “Channel Member” is used todefine a member located within the modular frame member 10 whichestablish the travel of air through channels within the modular framemember 10, once the components of the present assembly are placedtogether, and exploded view of which can be seen with reference to FIG.5. The channel members 69 are required to direct the air to theapertures (not shown) located on the outer surface of the modular framemember 10. In one embodiment of the present invention, the channelmember is simply a flat piece of metal or aluminum which restricts anddefines the air channels within the modular frame member 10, though itis conceivable that other types of material could be contemplated. Ofcourse, it would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that,through manipulation of the placement of the channel members, inconjunction with manipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures of theHVAC unit, as necessary, the modular HVAC assembly of the presentinvention can be adapted to facilitate the proper installation of theHVAC unit in different types of buildings.

In one embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to FIG.2, the modular frame member 10 has the intake apertures 20 on a firstvertical surface 50 of the modular frame and the exhaust apertures 30 ona second vertical surface of the modular frame 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIGS.3, 3 a 3 b and 4 the impellers 60 and 70 of the motor module within anHVAC unit are located opposite to one another. The impellers 60 and 70of the motor module are located on the same side of the HVAC unit andthe core (such as a heat recovery module) 61 is positioned on theopposite side of the impellers 60 and 70 of the motor module, as can beseen with reference to FIG. 5. In this manner, the impellers 60 and 70of the motor module are positioned within a structure that allows theretrieval of the impeller structure (the motor module) from within theHVAC unit. In a preferred embodiment, the fresh air intake 80 enablesair introduced into the HVAC unit to travel within the HVAC unit asdefined by the path shown through arrows 1-6. The stale air exhaust 90enables the air to travel within the HVAC unit as defined by the pathshown through the use of arrows 7-12. A restrictor plate 100 isolatesboth impellers 60 and 70 of the motor module from one another, and adivider baffle 71 can also be used to guide internal airflow asrequired.

As noted above, and with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, fresh air isintroduced into the HVAC unit through intake apertures 20 (not shown) onthe outside of the modular frame member 10. As the fresh air is broughtinto (1) the HVAC unit, through the fresh air intake 80, the fresh airis then introduced (2) through the impeller 60 of the HVAC unit, whereit is routed (3) via the restrictor plate 100 to the fresh air transferchannel 63. With reference to FIG. 3 a, the fresh air travels within theHVAC unit as defined by arrow (4), passing along and through the core(such as a heat recovery module) 61 as it goes, it being understood thatthe core may have openings therein to allow such airflow to occur. Withreference to FIG. 3 b, the fresh air is then routed (5) through anopening in the core or the filtration device of the HVAC unit (such as aheat recovery module) 61, 6 wherein it is then introduced (6) into thehouse, building or dwelling through the fresh air exhaust 110.

With reference to FIG. 3 b, stale air is introduced (7) into the HVACunit through intake apertures 20 (not shown) on the outside of themodular frame member 10, where it is then routed (8) through an openingin the core or the filtration device of the HVAC unit (not shown) to,with reference to FIG. 4, the stale air transfer channel 67, wherein thestale air travels within the HVAC unit as defined by arrow (9) in FIG. 3a. With reference to FIG. 3, the stale air is then drawn (10) throughthe second impeller 70 of the HVAC unit, where it is routed (11) via therestrictor plate 100 beyond the 16 HVAC unit to an outside source (12).

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 3 a, the stale air intake alsoallows the stale air travelling in the stale air transfer channel 67 totravel perpendicular to the fresh air travelling in the fresh airtransfer channel 63 within the core or filtration device of the HVACaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. In a preferredembodiment, the impeller structure is positioned on a rail mechanismwhich allows it to slide from within the HVAC assembly. In a furtherembodiment of the present invention, the core which is adjacent to theimpeller structure is also on a similar rail mechanism which also allowsthe retrieval from within the HVAC assembly. The use of a rail mechanismallows for quick maintenance of the impellers and the core, if required,from within the HVAC unit.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. An adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation andair conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising: a) a modular frame having atleast one or more apertures located on an outer surface of the modularframe; b) at least one or more plate members positioned on one or moreof the apertures; c) at least one or more channel members positioned inthe modular frame; d) at least one or more motors positioned within themodular frame wherein the motors enable air to enter and exit theapertures located on the outer surfaces of the modular frame; and e) arestrictor plate which isolates the motors within the modular frame. 2.The adaptable modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one ormore apertures on the modular frame further comprises at least one freshair intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture.
 3. Theadaptable modular assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one or moreapertures on the modular frame further comprises at least one stale airintake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture.
 4. Theadaptable modular assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one or moreplate members positioned on one or more of the apertures are detachablyremovable.
 5. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 3, wherein the atleast one or more channel members positioned in the modular framefurther comprises a fresh air transfer channel for transferring freshair from an outside source to an interior building or dwelling.
 6. Theadaptable modular assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one or morechannel members positioned in the modular frame further comprises astale air transfer channel for transferring stale air from the interiorbuilding or dwelling to the outside source.
 7. The adaptable modularassembly of claim 6, wherein the modular frame further comprises atleast one heat recovery module therein.
 8. The adaptable modularassembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one or more motors furthercomprises at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening,whereby the at least one intake opening cooperatively transfers freshair received from the at least one fresh air intake aperture on themodular frame along and through the fresh air transfer channel, thefresh air then being transferred from the fresh air transfer channelthrough the at least one outlet opening in the at least one or moremotors, and then through the at least one fresh air outlet aperture onthe modular frame to the interior building or dwelling.
 9. The adaptablemodular assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one intake opening andat least one outlet opening of the at least one or more motors arepositioned on an outer surface of the at least one or more motors. 10.The adaptable modular assembly of claim 9, wherein stale air from theinterior building or dwelling is drawn through the at least one staleair intake aperture on the modular frame and into the at least oneintake opening of the at least one or more motors, whereby the at leastone intake opening cooperatively transfers stale air received from theat least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame along andthrough the stale air transfer channel, the stale air then beingtransferred from the stale air transfer channel through the at least oneoutlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through theat least one stale air outlet aperture on the modular frame to theoutside source.
 11. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 10, whereinthe at least one or more motors are rotatably repositionable within themodular frame.
 12. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 11, whereinthe stale air transfer channel and the fresh air transfer channel are inperpendicular relation to one another within the modular frame.
 13. Anadaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) unit comprising: a) a modular frame; b) at least onefresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperturelocated on an outer surface of the modular frame; c) at least one staleair intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture locatedon the outer surface of the modular frame; d) at least one or morechannel members positioned in the modular frame; e) at least one or moremotors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motors enablefresh air to enter at least one fresh air intake aperture and exit theat least one fresh air outlet aperture, and wherein the at least one ormore motors also enable stale air to enter the at least one stale airintake aperture and exit the at least one stale air outlet aperture; andf) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within themodular frame.
 14. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 13, whereinthe modular frame further comprises at least one heat recovery moduletherein.
 15. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 14, wherein the atleast one or more plate members positioned on one or more of theapertures are detachably removable.
 16. The adaptable modular assemblyof claim 15, wherein the at least one or more plate members are placedto restrict air flow through each of only one fresh air intake apertureand one fresh air outlet, and through each of only one stale air intakeaperture and one stale air outlet aperture.
 17. An adaptable modularassembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)unit comprising: a) a modular frame; b) at least one fresh air intakeaperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on an outersurface of the modular frame; c) at least one stale air intake apertureand at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outer surfaceof the modular frame; d) at least one or more channel members positionedin the modular frame, the at least one or more channel members defininga fresh air transfer channel for transferring fresh air from an outsidesource to an interior building or dwelling and a stale air transferchannel for transferring stale air from the interior building ordwelling to the outside source, the fresh air channel and the stale airchannel being separate from one another; e) at least one or more motorspositioned within the modular frame, the at least one or more motorshaving at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening; f)at least one heat recovery module, the at least one heat recovery modulehaving at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening; andg) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within themodular frame, whereby the at least one intake opening cooperativelytransfers fresh air received from the at least one fresh air intakeaperture on the modular frame through the at least one intake opening ofthe at least one or more motors, and along and through the fresh airtransfer channel, the fresh air then being transferred from the freshair transfer channel through the at least one intake opening in the atleast one heat recovery module, and then through the at least one outletopening in the at least one heat recovery module, where the fresh air isthen directed through the at least one fresh air outlet aperture on themodular frame to the interior building or dwelling, and whereby staleair from the interior building or dwelling is drawn through the at leastone stale air intake aperture on the modular frame and into the intakeopening of the at least one heat recovery module, whereby the at leastone intake opening of the at least one heat recovery modulecooperatively transfers stale air received from the at least one staleair intake aperture on the modular frame along and through the stale airtransfer channel, the stale air then being transferred from the staleair transfer channel through the at least one outlet opening in the atleast one or more motors, and then through the at least one stale airoutlet aperture on the modular frame to the outside source.
 18. Theadaptable modular assembly of claim 17, wherein the modular framefurther comprises a plurality of apertures.
 19. The adaptable modularassembly of claim 18, wherein, when any of the plurality of aperturesare not to be used, the apertures not to be used are covered with atleast one or more plate members which are positioned thereon.
 20. Theadaptable modular assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one or moreplate members positioned on the apertures not to be used are detachablyremovable.
 21. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 20, wherein theat least one or more motors are rotatably repositionable within themodular frame.
 22. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 21, whereinthe at least one or more motors is positioned on a rail mechanism whichallows it to slide from within the HVAC unit, the rail mechanism beingsecured to an interior surface of the HVAC unit.
 23. The adaptablemodular assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one heat recoverymodule is positioned on a rail mechanism which allows it to slide fromwithin the HVAC unit, the rail mechanism being secured to an interiorsurface of the HVAC unit.